A team of five volunteers donned in hasmat suits entered a practically rotting dwelling in Barrington with one mission: leave no cat behind.

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“We believe the tenant had abandoned them at the end of last year. When we entered, there was feces everywhere,” said Poole, who had spent part of his summer trapping feral cats with Diane Harris, whose sister, Deb Parquette, had told her about the animals.

“The cats were covered in fleas and were pretty battered up. They had wounds from scratching and swelling on their faces,” Poole said. “They were all malnourished. A lot had upper respiratory problems, and the smell in the house was unbearable. It was just awful.”

[A look at the condition of the abandoned Barrington home where 39 cats and kittens were rescued.]

Raising more than $10,000 in donations via a GoFundMe page, the group was able to retrieve the felines after only a week’s time, rescuing the kittens first and then returning for the remaining cats a week later. Through donations, the team was able to equip the animals with medical attention, food and water and warm places to rest their paws.

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Poole is scheduled to leave for Africa Sept. 11 for one month to volunteer at two sanctuaries that house larger cats such as lions, tigers and leopards. He intends to document and share his experience via video on his Cole and Marmalade social sites.

The duo have more than half a million subscribers to their YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/chrispoole20, as well as more than 1.5 million followers on Facebook and more than 250,000 followers on Instagram. Regular updates about the felines are featured on their website, https://coleandmarmalade.com.

Poole dedicates his time to helping cats of all sizes and hopes to assist in getting as many of the recent rescue cats as possible adopted before his trip to Africa.

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After the birth of three kittens by a retrieved cat post-rescue, the grand total saved is at 42. The rescued cats since have been moved to a temporary location in search of foster and forever homes. Twenty-two already have been placed.

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Margaret Neuburger of Carpentersville is new mom to shorthaired boy kitten, Baron (above). Neuburger brought him home to her husband, three children and current feline-in-residence, Squeaks, a 7-year-old female calico/tortie mix. Neuburger said Baron, now about 12 weeks old, is adjusting well to his new home. She hopes introducing Baron to the family’s home will help with Squeaks’ temperament and give her youngest son, 2 ½-year-old William, a cat to grow up with.

“When I first went to meet Baron he was very thin and shy, and he was actually hissing at me,” Neuburger said. “He was cowering away and didn’t want to come near me. I told him he can growl and hiss all he wants; he’s going home with me. Those are the ones that need the most love.”

The Neuburger’s are happy to spoil Baron, who now weighs more than 3 pounds, has recovered fully from an upper respiratory infection he had early on and even has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Barons-Life-1489814251133464/. Neuburger said the cat is stepping into a personality all his own.

“He loves to chase things. If it moves, he attacks,” Neuburger said. “He’s so loveable and mellow-tempered. Squeaks is still adjusting. She tries to walk away from him, but he follows and plays in front of her. He has a strong desire for socialization. We couldn’t ask for a more perfect cat.”

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Neuburger praises the rescue team for helping and equipping her with anything and everything she needed to take Baron home to ensure a smooth transition.

“The hardest part was wanting to take them all home and not being able to,” Neuburger said.

“The troubled ones are the ones that need the most love and end up loving the best because they know you saved them.”

Parquette and team still are in search of foster and forever homes for the remaining rescues. To donate in support of those still in their possession or to foster or adopt, call Parquette, 312-618-4339.